Cynthia Smith

Cynthia Smith, a woman of genuine warmth and boundless energy, passed away peacefully on March 5th. Even in declining health, her bright spirit never dimmed, a constant throughout her remarkable 92 years. She was the cherished "Gammy" to eleven grandchildren and great-grandchildren.Born and raised between Chicago and Southern California, Cynthia harbored early dreams of a life on stage. She pursued acting, sang on live radio, modeled and appeared in early television, all before her sons, Steve and Kurt, became her primary focus. Following her first marriage, she displayed incredible courage in 1967. With little money and her two young boys by her side, she left loved ones behind in Chicago and embarked on a new chapter in Fort Lauderdale.There, she thrived. After taking night classes in the medical field, she managed two prestigious medical offices. She embraced a diverse group of friends and even organized the first ski trips for the Fort Lauderdale Ski Club, an activity that brought her immense joy on the slopes.A return to her theatrical roots led to a fateful encounter with Edward Smith, her loving husband for 38 years. Together, they built a life in Delray Beach, where Cynthia continued to pursue her passions. From cooking to taking classes at FAU and volunteering by reading to underprivileged children, her spirit remained vibrant.Cynthia's legacy lives on in the hearts of her sons, Steven (Lorraine) Vogel and Kurt (TJ) Vogel, her siblings Joan Prest, Toni (Skip) Lundborg, Len (Jackie) Rose, her grandchildren Nick, Kurt Jr., Michael, Zack, Matt, Cierra, and great-grandchildren Ava, Isabella, Kurt III, Kali, and the newest addition, Mason. She is also survived by her stepdaughters Connie (Bill) Kelley, Dawn (Rick) Smith, Evonne Anderson, and her surrogate daughters Terri Chelmowski, Debbie Swartz, Heidi Kramer, and Gretchen Friel.Cynthia's open heart and zest for life will be deeply missed. As per her wishes, donations in her memory can be made to St. Jude's Children's Hospital in Miami